Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra unfazed by team's slow start
Miami Heat Head coach Erik Spoelstra was surprised at how well his team performed on Wednesday night. Spoelstra, who took the helm in Miami two seasons ago with
no previous coaching experience, saw his team in top form, a sight that has proven elusive in the season's first few weeks.
"Well, we weren't necessarily expecting that result," Spoesltra said after his team dominated the Phoenix Suns for a 123-96 win. "We just wanted to focus on our
game, our energy and really having that defensive edge to us again. That's one of the most challenging teams to defend."
Bouncing back
Last week, the Heat struggled with losses to the Boston Celtics and the Utah Jazz. The team came back with consecutive wins to push its record to 7-4. The resiliency
is a good sign, but Spoelstra is demanding more from his players.
"Efficiency is what I'm looking for and I want us to get out in the open court on blocks, misses, turnovers," Spoelstra said. "But it starts with our defensive
commitment and our energy and it carries over. For the last three or four games our offense quietly has been coming. Guys are starting to get on the same page, the ball has been moving, we've been very efficient."
"What I told the guys in the locker room right after the game is they made each other better the last two days (in practice). They really pushed each other," Spoelstra added. "There was a
real serious tone and edge to all the guys in practice and going at a pace that was very similar to what you saw here. I think it carried over without question and so it was a very good defensive effort and that allowed us to get into transition."
The Heat, which faces tough tests in its upcoming games against the Dallas Mavericks and the Orlando Magic, will operate on a number of concepts if Spoelstra gets
his way.
"One of the things we want to get to is an IQ and an unselfishness with our team that we're using all of our weapons to get the best available shot."
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